Man is the most gifted creature on this earth. God formed him according to HIS likeness (Gen 1:26), in HIS own image (Gen 1:27) and blessed him to be fruitful. HE gave him the authority to rule over every creature on earth (Gen 1:28). HE gifted HIS most delightful creation with all the rest that HE created. Majestic are HIS gifts. Besides all the gifts of nature, God blessed HIS children with eternal life, the living water (Jn 4:10). God showed the way to eternal life through HIS teachings so that we may not perish but be saved.

1.Gospel – The word of the LORD - Gift of God
Rom 1:16 defines gospel as God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes. Also defined as ‘the message of truth’ (Col 1:5), proclaimed under heaven (Col 1:23).
God has gifted us HIS word so that we may know about HIS miraculous works and understand HIS love for us. HE wants us to receive eternal life in HIM, through the knowledge of HIS will in spiritual understanding (Col 1:9). The word instructs that we ought to live a life worthy of the gospel (Php 1:27; Col 1:10) so that we may be fully pleasing to HIM, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God (Col 1:11). In Psalms 86:11, David prays to God to teach him HIS way so that he may live by truth. Similar should be our spiritual craving. We need to constantly make efforts to understand HIS teachings, HIS way, HIS truth and life. God wants us to abide by HIS teachings, the word of HIS mouth and lays curse on anyone who follows the teachings of any other gospel (Gal 1:9). HE disciplines us through HIS laws and loves when we trust HIM for everything. HE has revealed everything that has happened and also which is going to happen. HE commands us to observe HIS statues carefully (Lv 25:18) and fear HIM for HE is the LORD, our God (Lv 25:17). Obedience of the gospel leads us to be blessed with the surpassing grace of the LORD. Thanks be to God for HIS indescribable gift (2Cor 9:15).

2.Word becoming flesh – The coming of Christ
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ (Jn 1:1). Here ‘Word’ is the title for Christ, who is the communicator and revealer of God, the Father. God sent Jesus to speak HIS words (Jn 3:34) and gave Him the authorities (Jn 5:22), for whoever believed in the Son has eternal life but the one who refuses to believe would have God’s wrath on him (Jn 3:36). Christ came to reveal God’s love for us, to teach HIS will, to straighten our way of living. He gave us the right to call God as our Father (Jn 1:12) and to be HIS children. He is our good shepherd (Jn 10:11), our way to the Father (Jn 14:6). He taught us God’s word through parables. He made us know our God, the one who is merciful (Lk 6:36), one who shows no favoritism (Gal 2:6), who provides all our needs (Mt 6:8), who grants our requests (Mt 7:7-11), who is true and graceful (Jn 1:14). As it was written, ‘Then all the children will be taught by the LORD’ (Is 54:13), and so it was fulfilled, through the coming of Christ. We were taught about the meaning of being ‘in Christ’, the meaning of being ‘Christians’. We were taught and taught so that we may listen, understand, learn and abide and be saved.

3.Reminding the teachings of the LORD – The Counselor- The Holy Spirit
Jesus said “But the counselor, the Holy Spirit- the Father will send Him in my name- will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you.” (Jn 14:26)
The teachings of the Lord were reminded to HIS people by the apostles, who were led by the Holy Spirit. They were chosen to spread the message of obedience of faith among all the nations (Rom 1:5). The Spirit reminds us to be righteous and live by faith. ‘Faith comes from what is heard and what is heard comes through the message about Christ’ (Rom 10:17). Rom 12:9-21 talks about ‘Christian ethics’ , which includes love and affection towards one another, diligence, patience in affliction, persistence in prayer, pursuing hospitality and much more. The spirit of the Lord blesses each person with a gift to produce what is beneficial (1Cor 12:7). Through Spirit, some give the message of wisdom, some have the gifts of healing, some perform miracles and some speak different languages while others interpret it (1Cor 12: 8-10).

Then let us stand firm and hold our traditions (2Th 2:15), which are taught by the word of the LORD, so that HE may strength us in every good work and word (2Th 2:17). Amen.